Joshua (Part 9): The Stance of Victory — Richard Sipley

Good morning. I want to thank our music ministry for the wonderful Blessing they have been to us this morning, and we appreciate it so very very much. Some of the old songs that we used this morning Were used at my request so if it bothers you to sing them Some of you enjoy.

I Really appreciate the tremendous balance of music that we have here. Don't you it's just wonderful praise the Lord. Now our intention was Not that they would be these two sheets in every bulletin. But that every person in the building would get these two sheets.

And so I'm not sure if that has happened, so we're going to take just a moment. And I'm going to use them at the end of the sermon and you need to have them not as a couple but Individually. Every person needs to have these two Sheets.

One says in Christ the other says taking the stance of victory. That is not your sermon insert. It's totally different if you do not have it. Will you raise your hand and we're going to try to get them to you, okay?

There's some that don't have them though our ushers have done a splendid job in getting them to you. We appreciate that very very much. They have really tried hard to and and there's not many of you without them, but keep your hand up and.

Until you get one. Well a few folks getting them one time while I was still.

Pastor in Regina, I was always having a card or something for people to use with their sermons. They finally started kidding me about it and so I kind of cut back on it, but. Every once in a while. I have to have something like that just to nail down the sermon at the end.

Positive Thinking Versus Christian Faith

All right. Everyone all set. Okay, this morning. I want to tell you the difference between positive thinking and Christian Faith. The difference between positive thinking and Christian Faith. David's defeat of The Giant Goliath is a great example of that contrast.

Goliath’s Self-Confidence and Defiance

If you remember the situation Israel was at war with the philistines and the philistines Had were drawn up on one side of a valley and the israelites were drawn up on the other side of the valley and there.

The two armies were facing one another and the philistines had a champion by the name of Goliath. He was from Gath and I'll be talking about that next Sunday morning. Gath Giza hashed out some of those cities.

This Giant was a huge warrior and so what happened was that every morning early he would come out from the armies of the philistines and stand out there in the Valley, and he would challenge them and say if any of you dare to come and fight against me come.

If I win you become our servants. If you win we become your servants. That was the situation. Now King Saul was out there with his army. King Saul was a tall man. We don't know how tall he was, but he was head and shoulders above all the other men in the army so he must have been well over seven feet and a great warrior, but he was trembling in his tent and David came and said why would you let this?

Uncircumcised pagan. Challenge the people of God. I'll go fight him. And seemed quite ridiculous because David was just a young college-aged boy, maybe 17 18 somewhere in there and all he had for weapons was a shepherd's staff and a.

Slingshot and over against him.

Was a man over nine feet tall. With a spear whose handle was like a weaver's beam and a javelin and a sword and a man going before him with a shield. He was covered with armor and he had studied war and fighting from the time.

He was a little child. David had no training whatsoever. Doesn't look like a very equal contest. Does it. And. So there he was. And what I want you to hear this morning is the statement made by those two.

Goliath’s Boast and the Power of God’s Name

Now I haven't even gotten to my text yet. So just relax. First Goliath and this is in 1st Samuel 17. 1st Samuel 17 verses 41 to 47 and first we'll hear what Goliath had to say. This is the epitome of self-confidence.

This is positive talking at its best or worst. So here it is. Meanwhile the Philistine with his shield bearer in front of him kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy ready and handsome and he despised him.

He said to David am I a dog that you come out at me with sticks? Because he just had his shepherds staff and the Philistine cursed David by his gods. Come here He said and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.

Self-confidence. I Am a great warrior. I can do this. I have in me what it takes. All I have to do is look deep inside of me. All I have to do is rely on the great training I have. You're nothing. Look at you just a little kid.

I'm going to destroy you and kill you and give your flesh to the birds to eat. I am going to do this. I Can do this? Ever hear anything like that. Now let's hear David. David said to the Philistine you come against me with sword and spear and javelin.

But I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty. That's different not in my own name not my own prowess not my own strength not my own ability. I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied this day.

The Lord will hand you over to me. That's quite different. Not this day. I'm going to beat you in this battle. But this day the Lord will hand you over to me and I'll strike you down and cut off your head.

He didn't even have a sword now. Huh. What he said didn't sound very like it made much sense. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth and the whole world Will know that there's a God in Israel all those gathered together here.

We'll know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves for the battle is the Lord's. That's Christian faith, that's God confidence. That's not self-confidence. That's God confidence. You say don't you have confidence in yourself.

Not a bit. You say well, don't you think there are things you can really do. No. You say well, are you really that down on yourself? Yes I Don't have a bit of confidence in myself. I've had enough experience in life to know that I shouldn't have any confidence in myself and that I don't dare to have confidence in myself.

Anybody with me? Self-confidence. No God confidence. Yes. That is a whole different thing. That is Christian faith. The battle is the Lord's and my friends David took the stance of victory. He took his stand in the Lord God Almighty.

He took his stand in the name of Jehovah. He said I don't have the strength. I don't have the ability but God does. The battle is the Lord's and with his help and his grace and Standing where he has given me to stand in his might and power.

I will win. That's wonderful. You see it doesn't matter how weak you are how small you are how insignificant you are how Unable you are none of it matters. All that matters is that you are putting your trust 100 in the Lord Jesus Christ and taking your stand in him and trusting him.

Totally. I just want to get you excited. Sit there. Anyway. It's the stance of victory. Christian faith the stance of victory. The Apostle Paul talked about this in Ephesians 6 10 to 14. Here's what he said finally my brethren be strong in the Lord.

Standing in the Lord’s Armor

That's the way begins that whole statement. Finally my brethren be strong. You say well, I'm not strong. Wait a minute in the Lord. Finally my brethren be strong in the Lord and his his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God not your armor not Saul's armor the full armor of God so that you can take your Stand.

I'm talking about the stance of victory where you put your feet so you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For we wrestle not with flesh and blood. But against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world.

Against a host of wicked spirits in the heavenlies. That's see it's a spiritual battle and I'm glad that it is because then it doesn't depend on me. It depends on the Lord because it's a spiritual battle.

And so then he says put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes you may be able to Stand your ground and after you have done everything to stand. Stand for four times in those few verses.

He says stand stand stand stand. You say where in Christ? Take your stand in the Lord and in his power and his grace. And his promises and his word and all that he is take your stand there and Don't give it up and When the enemy comes in like a flood the Lord will lift up a standard against him because you're standing in the Lord and not in your own strength.

Joshua’s Command to Put Feet on the Kings’ Necks

Now this truth is dramatically illustrated in our scripture from Joshua this morning. So now I get to my text. Are you ready? Joshua chapter 10 and I'm going to read verses 16 to 18 and 22 to 27 and What happens in this instance is very strange.

Really? I mean if you saw it happen, you'd think it was strange. When you read in the Bible you're used to it, but if you saw it happen, you'd think it was strange so here it is now, you know that they were in this war and That there were five kings that got worried about what it what Israel was doing in their advance and so they gathered together and they attacked Gibeon because Gibeon had surrendered and Made peace with the Israelites and so then Joshua marched against them and defeated them.

And that's the background to our scripture now the five kings. That's the Kings themselves had fled and hidden in the cave at Makeda. When Joshua was told the five kings had been found hiding in the cave at Makeda.

He said roll large rocks up to the mouth of the cave and post some men there to guard it. So then there's some other activities you get to verse 22. Joshua said open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.

So they brought the five kings out of the cave the kings of Jerusalem Hebron Jarmath Lachish and Eglon. When they brought these kings to Joshua he summoned now watch this is great. He summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings now.

If I had an enemy here this morning, I'd bring him up here and show you but If I do I don't know it so we'll just leave it at that. But Here are these five kings and he said to the army commanders come here.

Put your feet on the necks of these kings. So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks and Joshua said to them do not be afraid do not be discouraged be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies.

You're going to fight. So there's two places to stand. You stand in Christ and in his power and You put your feet on Top of your problems and you put your feet on the neck of your problems until they're defeated.

See somebody says, how are you doing? He said I'm doing pretty good under the circumstances. So what are you doing under the circumstances? Get the circumstances under you and I'm gonna give you something to do with these piece of paper later.

So just sit tight now. And wait till we get there. But this is a very interesting thing. The Holy Spirit put this in the Bible, right? You believe that? Well, he put it there for a reason. It's a it's an amazing illustration of.

You see Josh was saying to these men look don't be afraid be full of courage because this is what God Will do for you with all your enemies. He will enable you to put your feet on their neck and defeat them.

The Victory and Power Available in Christ

And I want to encourage you about that this morning. Whatever is Against you. Whatever is a major a problem in your life God wants you to put your feet on its neck now, not if it's a person you understand.

Not literally if it's a person but your greatest problem in life might be a person right and Figuratively God wants you to put your feet on the neck of that problem and keep it under your feet as you stand in Christ.

Until you get the victory and he says once you get there stand stand stand. Stand and don't budge from that position. Is any of this making sense to you? I Hope so. You say where do I stand? Well, we take the stance of victory in Christ.

Let me read to you some things that Paul had to say about this from Ephesians chapter 1 Verses 18 to 23 one of the greatest most encouraging passages in the whole Bible. Absolutely, this is a matchless passage of Scripture.

Here it is. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. God wants our spiritual eyes open so that you may know what is the hope of his calling? What are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints?

That is what is God passed on to the Saints and What is the surpassing greatness of his? Power. Toward us who believe what is the surpassing greatness of the power of God? Toward us who believe how many of you have put your faith in Christ.

Let me see your hand. Well, then you're included. The surpassing greatness of the power of God is aimed at you. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of his might not mine his which he brought about in Christ when he that is God raised Christ from the dead and Seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places far above all rule and authority and power and Dominion and every name that is named not only in this age.

But also in the one to come. Who and he that is God put all things in? Subjection under Christ's feet and gave Christ as head over all things to the church. Which is his body the fullness of him. Christ who fills everything in every way.

Wow. Paul says I am praying that God will open your spiritual eyes. So that you will be able to see and understand the greatness of the power of God that is available in your life as a Christian. What power the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

When he was stricken by God when all the sin of the world was upon him when he sunk down into hell and Defeated all the forces of darkness and all of the sin of the world and all of the judgment and wrath of God and Rose triumphant and is alive that kind of power.

Oh. Is that enough power That's available in Christ now you say well, are you sure we're included? Yes, Ephesians 2 4 to 6 but God being rich in mercy because of his great love With which he loved us even when we were dead in our transgressions made us alive together With Christ by grace, you have been saved and raised us up with him.

That's Christ and seated us with him. That's Christ in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Far above all Principality and power and every name that can be named in this age or than the world to come.

Strength Made Perfect in Weakness

Why should? Why should Christians go around? Say, how are you today? Well I'm here. Well, maybe it'd be good if you go on to heaven. Now there's another one. Paul adds to this 2nd Corinthians 12 9 and 10.

But he said to me that is the Lord Jesus said to Paul my grace is Sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness. His power is made perfect in weakness not in our strength. But in our weakness what kind of weakness all kinds of weakness physical weakness mental weakness psychological weakness spiritual weakness you name it.

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why for Christ's sake I delight in weaknesses and insults in hardships and persecutions in Difficulties for when I am weak then I am strong.

Faith Reckoning on God’s Presence

My friends put your feet on the neck of every problem that is defeating you. Take your stand in Christ. Somebody says are you rich said no? I'm yes, I'm rich. I just don't have any money. I'm rich. Amen.

Oh All that he has is mine. Hudson Taylor the great missionary to China said many Christians estimate difficulty they estimate difficulty in the light of their own resources and Thus they attempt very little and they always fail.

All giants of the faith have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on his presence to be with them and Then I come to one of my favorite verses in the Bible that I still don't believe I am fully Experiencing by a long shot, but I still like the verse.

It is 1st John 4 17 from the great Apostle John and this is what he said. For as he is that is Christ for as he is so are we in this world? I say Lord Well, I'm still chewing on that one. Right. I'm still chewing on it But every once in a while I get a good meal out of it as he is Christ.

So are we in this world? Albert Simpson wrote a hymn on that verse. Can I read it to you? If I don't you'll never hear it. Oh, what a wonderful place Jesus has given to me Saved by his glorious grace.

I may be even as he When with my lord I appear like him. I know I shall be but while I walk with him here, I may be even as he One in his death on the tree one as he rose from the dead. I From the curse am as free even as my glorious head One on the throne by his side one in his sonship divine One is the bridegroom and bride one as the branch and the vine One in his merits I stand one as I pray in his name All that his worth can command I can with confidence claim One in his faith in his love one in his life.

I may be Sealed by the heavenly dove. I may be holy as he One in the sorrows he bore one in his service. So true even his tears I may share. Even his works I may do. Even his peace and his joy Jesus has given to me what can distress or annoy.

I am as happy as he One in the rapturous hour when he shall come for his own raised by his glorious power. I shall sit down in his throne. All that he has shall be mine all that he is I shall see Robed in his glory divine.

I shall be even as he. Wow. Oh Lord make it true in my life. The scriptures say that Moses endured as seeing him who is invisible. What do I see just my problems my weak self or Christ. If you then are Risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God set your mind on Things above not on things in the earth for you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.

And when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in glory. Christ is our life. He is our life. Amen. Well, how do I stand? How do I do it? How do I stand? I want to read you a scripture that Many years ago God spoke to me about and I'm still working on that one, too.

Union With Christ in Death and Resurrection

It's in Romans 6 3 to 5 I stand in Christ by the act of reckoning and I'm going to use an old word. And then we're going to explain it. But it's a Bible word. He says do you not know that all of us who've been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death.

Did you know that. That's what he's saying. Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death. In order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father. So we too might walk in newness of life.

He says when Christ died we died in him. When he was buried we were buried in him when he rose. We rose in him when he was seated at God's right hand. We were seated there in him. Get the picture. He said that's how God sees it.

For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death. Certainly, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection then verse 11 likewise you also reckon. Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed into sin but alive into God in Christ Jesus our Lord now.

What is the word reckon mean. Good English word? Dictionary definition. It means to count or compute or to calculate to add up a sum to look upon something as being true. To count on it to rely or depend on some something.

Dead reckoning an nautical term the computation of a vessels positioned by log and compass without astronomical observation. So it just goes by the compass. So to reckon as. The English word is defined means to count on something.

You got it. Biblical definition here it is independence on the Word of God. Independence on the Word of God not my feelings not what I know to be true about myself. But independence on the Word of God.

I take the stance of victory in Christ and in Jesus name. I add up what God has said and take the place of victory. I Add up what God has said get the answer and stand on it in Jesus name. Taking the stance of victory is seeing myself in Christ.

Do you see yourself in Christ? Are you in Christ? Do you think about yourself that way? I'm in Christ. I'm in Christ. I've been baptized into Jesus Christ by the Spirit of God. I'm part of his body. I'm in Christ.

Christ is in me. Right. It is no longer. I who liveth but Christ who liveth in me. It is no longer. I who liveth but Christ who liveth in me. In me. Jesus is alive in me. It is no longer. I who liveth but Christ who liveth in me.

You like that one? I'll have Bob teach it to you. He can sing. Yes, Jesus is alive in me. So do you see yourself in Christ? It is seeing myself in Christ. It is confessing myself as being in Christ saying it with my mouth.

I'm in Christ. Christ is in me and It's acting as if I'm in Christ. Oh, that's the hard part if we think about it and confess it eventually will have the courage to act it. I have to tell you a story about Hudson Taylor.

Acting on Faith: Hudson Taylor and the Raised Sails

That really is. Exactly what I'm talking about. Hudson Taylor the famous missionary went to China and he went on a sailing vessel because there's many years ago. When they were very close to cannibal islands the wind ceased and they were becalmed.

The ship was slowly drifting Shoreward unable to go about and the savages were eagerly anticipating a feast. That's not a good spot. The captain knew that. Mr. Taylor was a minister and was on his way to China as a missionary.

So he came to mr. Taylor and asked him to pray for the help of God. I Will said Taylor provided you set your sails to catch the breeze. The captain refused. He didn't want to make himself a laughingstock to the entire crew what hoisting the sails in a dead calm.

They would think he had lost his mind. But mr. Taylor said I will not undertake to pray for the vessel unless you prepare the sails. Finally in desperation because he didn't want to be eaten I guess. Finally in desperation the captain gave the orders the sails were lifted.

Mr. Taylor went into the stateroom to pray. While he was still praying there came a knock on his door when mr. Taylor asked who's there? Captain's voice responded. Are you still praying for the wind? Yes was a reply.

Well, so the captain you'd better stop praying. We have more wind than we can handle. That's great. He said in effect if you're going to take the stance of victory put up the sails. Say well out when the wind starts blowing up put up this thing.

I Know I've been there. Well God now. You wouldn't want me to look foolish would you Lord yes. It won't hurt you it will help your pride. You don't want me to go out on a limb. Lord, yes, but the devil might saw off the limb.

Yes, but I can grow another one. Hoist the sails. See that's taking the stance of victory. That's saying I believe it. I believe that Christ is adequate for any problem. I have and So I'm going to take my stand in Christ and I'm going to put every one of those problems under my feet and I'm going To stand there and trust God for the victory.

Reckoning on the Word Rather Than Feelings

Well, I have to read you another poem by Albert Simpson. Because it has to do with this word reckon. There's a little word that the Lord has given for our help in the hour of need. Reckon yourself to be dead to sin to be dead and dead indeed.

There's another word that the Lord has given in the very same verse. We read. Let us reckon ourselves as alive in him as alive and alive indeed. While we trust in feeling or inward states we shall always be tossed about.

Let us anchor fast to the Word of God and reckon away our doubt as The Mariner when the skies are dim sails on by his compass true. So our faith would cling to the promise firm and reckon the journey through.

How sweet it is to be anchored fast to a hope that can never fail. Let us reckon on with a firmer trust till we anchor within the veil. You may claim the promise from God's own throne. You may know his power is real, but your faith must rest on his word alone and reckon rather than feel.

Reckon. Reckon reckon reckon rather than feel. If you'll be true to the reckoning God will make it real. Now this morning. I want you to look at these two sheets. The one represents my position in Christ my stance in Christ.

The Believer’s Identity and Security in Christ

In Christ, I am accepted. Hallelujah, I am God's child. I am Christ's friend. I have been justified. I'm united with the Lord. I've been bought with a price. I'm a member of Christ's body. I am a saint.

Yes, I am believe it or not I have been adopted as God's child. I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit. I've been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. I am complete in Christ. Wow, I am accepted in Christ and then I am secure.

Oh and there's scriptures for every one of these I am Significant. I am the salt and light of the earth and all these wonderful statements. I'm see with Christ. I have any realms. I am God's workmanship.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me a wonderful picture of my position in Christ all. From the scriptures. Amen promises of God. What he says who cannot lie and Cannot fail there it is now.

Putting Problems Underfoot Through Practical Faith

What I want you to do and you can do it right where you are if you like or you can wait till you get Home if it will embarrass you but I'm what I'm talking about and you can do this later if you like.

I'm talking about getting literal and standing on it. You say now that's silly. Well, you know We need to have our Christianity get real practical sometimes, right? Sometimes it needs to get really practical now the other sheet the other sheet says taking the stance of victory and it has that scripture about putting their feet on the necks of these kings and He says God will do that to all your enemies now.

I've got a place here for five Kings that you might have more than that or less. You might just have one but I'm talking about some really big problem in your life. And I've already worked out my five.

I've thought about them. I'm not going to tell you. But What I want you to do and If you can do it fast, you can write them on there right now. And then when we stand up to sing you'll be standing on it.

You put that down. You've got one foot standing in Christ on the promises of God, right. And your other foot is on the neck of the problems you can't handle. Amen. Can God do it? God can do it. Praise his name.

We're going to sing a great old song. Come on crew. Praise team. That's what they're called Wonderful. Isn't God good to give us these musicians to help us and we're going to sing a wonderful old song.

Standing on the promises of God. All right, you want to put yours under your feet or whether you get home? I don't care stand.